Shell-fuse.



PATENTED JUNE 19, 1906. L. L. muses & B. WILKINSON.

SHELL FUSE. APPLICATION FILED 00113. 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET}.

WNW mamas 7 No. 823,852 PATENTED JUNE 19 1906 L L DRIGGS & E WILKINSON SHELL FUSE State of Pennsylvania,

, UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS L. DRIGGS, OF SHARON, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT TO SAID DRIGGS.

Specification of Letters iatent.

PENNSYLVANIA. AND ERNEST wILKr soN, or GOLUMBIA; SAID WILKINSON ASSIGNOR SHELL-FUSE- Patented June 19, 1906.

Application filed October 13,1905. Serial No. 282,682.

. have invented certain new and. useful Imvide a shell-fuse in which the ex I fuse carrying the I serted in the fuse are still safe under all stand ,;ard conditions incident 5,

I cient if used withsniall shell;

'ily inserted just provements in Shell-Fuses; and We do herey declare the followin to be a full, clear, and exact description 0 the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains' to make and use the same.

Our. invention relates to improvements in shell-fuses; and it is more especially intended for use with heavy shell, which are more cumbersome and dangerous to handle than the smaller shell and which if prematurely exploded are apt to cause vastly more damage than the smaller shell. It is intended a so in certain types of shell to do away with the bouching for the fuse-stock, which is generally screwed into the body of the shell and which weakens the shell by increasing the size of the fuse-opening therein. It is'further intended toprovide against accident in emptying loaded shells and refilling same,

.whlch accidents are-presumably most frequently caused by the grinding of fine particles of powder-dust inthe screw-threads of the fuse-stock, which powder-dust has sifted into the lost space between said screw-threads.

Our invention is further intended to prolosive material is normall'y kept out of the se while the shell is being shipped from place to place either afloat or ashore or from the magazines to the battery aboard ship, but in which the parts carryingthe ex losivemay be-readefore t e shell is delivered at the gun.

According to our invention the parts of the primer may be stowed at any convenient point outside of the magazines and may be safely carried in the pock- .ets of those serving the gun and inserted in the fuse when desired, but which when inshell except "when the uselargeshell, t is none e less ei fiishows a modification in which to handhng of the I shell is set spinning, duetoth in the i Ourinvention will be-understoo'd by the accompanying drawings, in which four embodiments thereof are shown, two being for a lfilase-iusc and the other two being for a point- Figure 1 shows a section through-the base of the shell and the center of the fuse-stock with the plunger andcentrifugal arms for holding the same shown in elevation, the parts being assembled. Fig. 2 shows a section throu h the fuse-stock and cap at right angles to t e section of Fig. 1 and shows the plunger" and connected parts as seen from'the eft of Fig. 1, the three parts being shownin the position ready for assembling. Fig. 3 shows an axial section through the nose of a shell with all the parts of the fuse shown in section. Fi 4 shows a segtion through the nose of the s ell and the ca at ri ht angles to the section of Fig. 3, wit a si e view of the lunger and connected parts as seen from the eft of Fig. 3. In Fig. 4theithree arts are shown in position ready for-assem ling and the parts are broken away. Fig. 5 thefuse-stock is provided with a shoulder to hold the plun: ger in lace, and Fig. 6 shows a plungerfor use in t e stock shown in-Fig. 5. Figs. 5 and 6 are on a much-smaller scale'than are the other figures. Fig. 7 shows the plunger inclosed in a small bag, of kid or other soft ma-" terial, rovided with a'Fperforated end, parts being roken away. 1 inclosed in a similar bag withoil pasted over theope in said bag. ii. .9 shows a po' t-fusein'w 'chthe fuse-stoc is integral with the shell, and Fig. 10 showsa aper g.:8 shows a lunger base-fuse inwhich the fuse-stock isintegral with the shell.

'stockB. Ac'ro's'sfithe bottom of thisqfuse I stock is secured a' stout pin 1 C, which pin h carries the percussionfuse stocky andczthereby the shell? 3 =iSecured to saidianvilf imany ee viiient' w y; "as-by means of-the pins a 5p ing-pieceFyrecessedgas at (see dotted 'l Your-invention is especially, int Jt adapted to engag ein'a notchd in the bottom 5 too . PP "into ,the shell "and "also causes thexsaid aii v i l. "to ,rotatelwithithe 'lsspinmng strike the primer E when the plunger H is released. This spring-piece F has arms F terminating in weights F. The arms F normally (project into notches h in the pl er H, an the weights F are curved inwar y and engage in the annular groove H beneath the col ar H of the plunger. When the shell these weights are thrown outward to clear the collar H" and the plunger is free to fly forward on impact with the target, as described in the patent to William H. Driggs, No. 419,143, dated January 7, 1890. The fuse-stock B projects somewhat in rear of the shell, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and is normally closed by means of a cap K and a washer, of leather or other like material, I. This cap is interiorly screw-threaded, as at k, and is provided with a boss k, adapted to engage t e back ofthe plunger H when the parts of the fuse are assembled, as shown in Fig. 1. This cap K is provided with suitable notches is to engage a wrench or spanner, so

that said cap may be readily removed when desired. A disk of oiled paper G is preferably pasted or cemented over the bottom of the anvil, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, which paper will be ruptured beneath the notch (1 when the fuse is assembled.

a The form of device shown in Figs. 3 and 4 is generally similarto that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, except that the nose of the shell A is screwthreaded, as at a, to receive the screw-threads b of the fuse-stock B. The pin C is made stouter, since it will have to stand the shearin effect of the plunger and the parts carried t ereby when the gun is fired.- Moreover, the cap K forms the nose of the shell and is notched, as at k, to receive a suitable wrench or spanner. Furtherrnore, the boss k is provided with the filing pin k to engage the primer E when the weights F swing outward under centrifugal force. In this form of device the plunger M carries the nipple m, on which is mounted the primer E, and the spring-piece F is secured to and moves with the plunger, it being inserted in a notch m across the base of the plunger and held in place in any convenient way, as by pins f. The arms F of this spring-piece enga e in notches m in the side of theaplunger, an the weights F, which are curve inwardl project in front of the said plunger and orm a positive sto between it and the face of the abutment except when the shell is spinning. When the shell is spinning, these weights fly outward under the action of-cent al force, and the slowing down of the shell, ue to the resistance of the air, causes the said weights to creep up into the annular grooves surrounding this boss and therefore keep the fuse rimed or in the firing position after the as been fired and even after the shell s slowed down so much that the centrifugal force would no longer cause the weights F to swing outward against the action of the spring-arms F. A disk of oiled paper or tinfoil may be pasted over the bottom of the plunger, as already described with reference to Fi s. 1 and 2, or an annular disk of leather or ki or the like may be pasted or cemented ove(1; the bottom of the plunger, as shown at In the form of device shown in Figs. 5 and 6 a tapered shoulder b is provided on the lower end of the fuse-stock B and a lug b is provided to project into the slot m of the plunger M, and thus to keep said plun er from turning. This plunger M is provi ed with a tapered end m to engage the shoulder 12, and thus prevents the plunger from dropping into the shell when the gun is fired. In the device shown in Figs. 7 and 8 the plunger is inclosed in a bag, of kid or other similar soft material, P, preferably provided with a small hole 1) in its tip for the passage of the flame from the primer, while in Fig. 8 this hole is shown somewhat larger, as at p, and closed with a patch of oiled aper p. A draw-string p may be used in t e top of the bag. This bag will .not onlyprotect the pluner while being manipulated, but will also Fruit the sifting of any powder ains u ward and will prevent the plunger om stic ing in the fuse and will afford a convenient means for pul' .it out when desired. It will be seen that t bag will not in any waiy interfere with the operation of the fuse. t will be evident from ins cting'the drawings that the fuse-stock may epermanently kept 'in the shell and the opening through the stock normally closed by a suitable cap, while the washer I, of leather or like soft material, prevents the sifting of any powder rains to the screw-threads of the cap. It wi I be evident that theshell may be loaded and unloaded through the 0 ning in the fuse-stock with perfect safety ii groper precautions are taken in load' and unloading.

In the form of device shown in F i 9 the fuse-stock is cast integral with the s ell A, the ordinary hole being left in the nose of the shell and this being bored outto leave a shoulder a? at its base. To lengthen the hole for the fuse, if desirable, the inner projection a ma be cast in the shell. The nose of the b0 y of the shell is cut away, as at a, and screw-threaded, as at a, to engage thecap K. The shoulder a may be slotted, as at a, to receive the spline-pin m, fast to the plunger M, which prevents said plunger from rotating in the shell. The construction of the arts is otherwise substantially the same as as already been described with reference to 3 and 4.

In the form of device shown-in Fig. 10, A represents the base of a cast shell, which is provided with the screw-threaded projection a for the cap- K and with the inner projection (1, having a tapered shoulder a. to engage the conical face d of the plunger D. his

- Figs. 9 and 10 may be removed therefrom at I a single operation, and when the shell is being transported it would be preferable to have the firing mechanismremoved and a cork or other stopper inserted in the fuse-hole and the cap. screwed on. The cork or stopper similar to that shown in Figs. 7 and 8 an should of course be removed before insertmg the firing mechanism. It will be evident that this firin mechanism shown in Figs. 9 and 10 might e normally contained in a ba either inserted the shellwhile still contained in said bag or might be removed from the be before insertion, as desired.

a It Wlll be evident that in all the forms of fuse herein described the primer and active the fuse is thoro 7 important, as the failure of the fuse to operate may, as it has done in the past, be roductive of most serious results. Furt ermore, by doing away with the bouching for the fusestoc k, and thus reducin the necessary diameter of the opening int e shell, not

only may greater strength of the shell be secured, but also, other things being equal, a

larger plunger may be provided, and consequently a greater blow on the rimer may be secured, so that the fuse. wilfoperate even after the shell is almost spent.

It will be seen that the plunger-and primer and other parts may be removed or inserted by a straight motion without any t whatever, so that thereis no tendency to powder grains and no likelihood of premature ignition from any cause and this safety is further increased by puttin the lunger and parts carried therebyin a ag, 0 kid or like material, as illustrated in Fi 7'and 8.

, It will be obvious that various modifications might be made in the herein-described apparatus which could be used without departing from the spirit of our invention.

: 1 Having thus described our invention, what we claim, and desire to secure by Letterslfatnt of the UnitedStates, is 1.. 1, A s hell-fusefor large-caliber proje files 1) three separate. parts adaip ted to assembled and disas ble t ing charge, a cap adapted to be secured on said fuse-stock, and percussion firing mechanism mounted in the bore of said fuse-stock beneath said cap and capable of being independently inserted in or removed from said stock at one operation, substantially as de' scribed,

2. A shell-fuse comprising three separate parts ada ted to be readily assembled and disassemb ed, to Wit, a fuse-stock, a cap adapted to be secured on said fuse-stock, and

firing mechanism mounted in said fuse-stock beneath said cap and capable of being in-v serted in or removed from said stock at one operation, with a bag of kid or other soft material inc'losing said firing mechanism, substantially as described. I

3. A shell-fuse for large-caliber projectiles comprising three separate parts adapted to be readily assembled and disassembled, to wit, a fuse-stock provided with external screw-threads adapted to engage in the shell and to project therefrom, the said fuse-stock being permanently attached to the shell, and having a bore adapted to ermit the ready introduction and remova of the powder charge, a cap adapted to be screwed on said fuse-stock, on the projecting portion thereof,

and ercussion firing mechanism mounted in the ore of said fuse-stock beneath said cap and capable of beinginserted in or removed .from said stock at one operation, substantially as described.

4. A shell-fuse comprising three separate parts ada ted to be readily assembled and dis-v assemble to wit, afusestock, rovided with external screw-threads adapte to engage in the shell and to project therefrom, a cap adapted to be screwed onsaid fuse-stock, on the projecting portion thereof, and firing mechanism' mounted in said fuse-stock beneath said ca and capable of being inserted in or remove from said stock at one operation, with a bag of kid; or other soft material en aging said firing mechanism, substantia 1y as described.

5. A shell-fuse for largecaliber'projectiles comprising three separate parts adapted to be readily assembled and disassembled, to

wit, a. fuse-stock provided with external-- screw-threads adapted to engage in the shell and to project therefrom, the said fuse-stock being permanently attached to the shell, and

having a bore adapted to permit the ready introduction and removal of then/powder charge, a cap adapted to be screwed on said fuse-stock, on theprojecting portion thereof, an annular washer of eather or similar mate'- rial held in said cap and adapted to form a tight joint with the end of said fuse-stock, and firing mechanism mounted in said fuse-stock beneath said ca and capable of beinginsertellfuse for large-caliber pro ectiles,

comprising three separate parts adapted to be readily assembled and disassembled, to wit, a fuse-stock permanently attached to the shell and having a bore adapted to ermit the ready introduction and remova of the bursting charge, a cap adapted to be secured on said fuse-stockf and percussion fir ing mechanism mounte in the bore of said fuse-stock beneath said cap and capable of being independently inserted in or removed from said stock at one o eration, with means carried by or integral wit said stock for holding said firing mechanism in said stock beneath said ca substantially as described.

7. A shellse comprising three separate parts ada ted to be readily assembled and disassemb ed, to wit, a fuse-stock having a pin across its inner end, a ca adapted to be secured on said fuse-stock, an firing mechanism mounted in said fuse-stock beneath said cap and engaging said pin, substantially as described.

8. A shell-fuse comprising three separate parts ada ted to be readily assembled and disassemb ed, to wit, a fuse-stock adapted to be secured in the shell and having a pin across its inner end, a cap ada' ted to be secured on said fuse-stock, and fiiing mechanism mounted in said fuse-stock beneath said cap and provided with a transverse groove to engage'said pin, substantially as described.

9. A shel -fuse comprising-three separate parts ada ted to be readily assembled and disassemb ed, to Wit a fuse-stock adapted to be secured in the shell and having a pin across its inner end, a cap adapted to be secured on said fuse-stock, and firing mechanism mounted in said fuse-stock beneath said cap and provided with a transverse groove to engage said pin, with a ba of kid or other soft material inclosing said 'ng mechanism, substantially as described.

10. A shell-fuse comprising three separate parts adapted to be readily assembled and disassemb ed, to wit, a fuse-stock, a ca adapted to be secured on said fuse-stock, an firing mechanism adapted to be put in operative position b the spinning of the shell mounted in sai fuse-stock beneath said ca and capable of being inserted in or removed from said stock at one operation, with means for holding said fi mechanism against rotation relative to sai stock and 'a be of kid or other soft material inc osing sai firing mechanism, substantially as described.

1 1. A shell-fuse comprising three separate parts adapted to be readily assembled and disassemb ed to wit, a fuse-stock provided with externa screw-threads ada ted to engage in the shell and to project t erefrom, a

in extending across the inner end of said se-stock, a cap adapted to be screwed on said fuse-stock, on t e projecting portion thereof, and mechanism provided with a notch engaging said .pin, mounted in said in or remove from said stock at fuse-stock beneath said cap and capableof being inserted in. or removed from said stock at one operation,.substantially as described. 12. A shell-fuse comprising three separate parts ada ted to be readily assembled and isassemb ed, to wit, a fuse-stock provided with external screw-threads ada ted to engage in the shell and to project t erefrom, a

in extending across the inner end of said use-stock, a cap adapted tobe screwed on said fuse-stock, on the projecting portion thereof, and firin mechanism adapted to be put in the operative relation by the spinning up of the shell provided with a notch engag- '.ing said pin mountedin saidfuse-stock .be-

neath said ca and capable ofibeing-inserted tion, substantially as described.

13. A shell-fuse comprising three separate parts ada ted to be readily assembled and disassemb ed, to wit, afuse-stock provided with external screw-threads ,ada ted toengage in the shell and to project erefrom', a pin extending across the'inner end of said fuse-stock, a cap adapted to be screwed on said fuse-stock, on the projecting portion thereof, and firing mechanism 'adaptedto be pntnin the operative relation by the spinning up of the shell provided with a notch engaging said.

pin mounted in said fuse-stock beneath said cap and capable of-bemg inserted in or removed from said stock at one operation, with a bag of kid or other soft material engaging said firing mechanism, substantially. as.described.

14. A shell-fuse comprising three separate parts ada ted to be readily assembled and disassemb ed, to wit, a fuse-stock provided with external screw-threads adapted to .engagein the shell and to project therefrom, a cap adapted to bescrewed on said fusestock, on the pro'ecting portion thereof, an annular washer of leather or similar material held. in said cap and adapted to form a tight 'oint with the end of said fuse-stock, and g mechanism provided with a notch engaging said pin, mounted in said fuse-stock beneath said cap and capable ofbeing inserted-in or removed from said stock at one operation,

substantially as described.

15. A shell-fuse for large-caliber rojectiles com risin a substantially cy drical fuse-stoc havlng its bore open at bothends a ca ada ted to screw on the exteriorof said stock, an percussion firing mechanism comprising the primer and means for. explodm same, removably mounted inthe bore of sai stock beneath said cap, substantially as .described.

16. A shell-fuse for large-caliber rojectiles com risin a substantially c drical fuse-stoc having its bore open at 0th ends and exteriorl screw-threaded to screw into the shell, and adapted to project beyond the face of the shell, a screw-cap-adapted.to

one operascrew over the projecting end of the fusestock, and a ercussion primer and mechanism for explo ing same; removably mounted in the bore of said stock beneath said Gap, substantially as described.

17. A shell-fuse for large-caliber projectiles, comprising a substantially cylindrical fuse-stoc open at-both ends, a cap ada ted to screw on the exterior of said stock, a p lunger mounted in'said stock, a rimer connected to and operated by said plunger, the said primer and plunger being removable at one operation from said stock, with means automatically operated by the spinning of the shell for causing said primer and plunger to assume the o erative position relative to each other, su stantially as described.

' 18. In a large-caliber shell, the combination with the shell-body, of a fuse stock having itsbore open at both ends and secured to or integral with the shell-body the said fusestock being adapted to permit the ready introductionand withdrawal of the bursting charge of the shell, percussion firing mechanism adapted to be held in the bore of said fuse-stock, and capable of being inserted in or removed from said stock at one operation, and-a ca secured over the outer end of said fuse-stoc substantially as described.

19. In alarge-caliber shell, the combination with the shell-body, of a fuse-stock having its bore open at both ends and secured to or integral with the shell-body the said fusestock being adapted to permit the ready introduction and withdrawal of the bursting charge of the shell, percussion firing mechanism adapted to be held in the-bore of said fuse-stock, and capable ofbeing inserted in or removed from said stock at one operation,

and a ca secured over the outer end of said fuse-stoc with a washer beneath said cap, substantially as described.

20. In a arge-calibershell, the combination with the shell-body, of a fuse-stock having its bore open at both ends and secured to or integral with the shell-body the said fuse- .stock being adapted to permit the ready introduction and withdrawal of the bursting charge of the shell, percussion firing mechan- "ism put in operative position by the spinning turning ca able of being inserted in or removed from said stock at one operation, and acap secured ,over the outer end of said fuse-stock, substan tially as described. a

' 21. In a shell, the combination with the in the boreof said fuse-stock, and p shell-body, of a fuse-stock open at both ends and secured to or integral with the shell-body,

and provided with an outwardly-projecting portion exteriorly screw threaded, firing mechanism put in operative position by the spinning up of the shell adapted to be held a ainst turning in said fuse-stock, and capab e of being inserted in or removed from said stock at one operation, and a cap screwed on over the projecting end of said fuse-stock, substantially as described. I

22. In a point-fuse shell, the combination with the shell-body, of a fuse-stock open" at both ends and secured to or integral with the shell-body and projecting forwardly therefrom, firing mechanism put in operative position by the spinning up of the shell adapted to be held against turning in said fuse-stock, and capable of being inserted in or removed from said stock at one operation, and a cap forming the nose of-the shell secured over the outer end of said fuse-stock, substantially as described.

23. A shell -'fu'se comprising a substantially cylindrical fuse-stock, open at both ends and exteriorly screw-threaded to screw into the shell, and adapted to project beyond the face of the shell, a screw-cap adapted to screw over the projecting end of the'fusestock, and a primer and mechanism for exploding same put into operative relation by the spinning up of the shell, removably mounted in said stock beneath said cap,w1th means for holding said mechanism in said stock and against turning therein, substantially as described. In testimony whereof we-afiix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

LOUIS L. DRIGGS.

ERNEST WILKINSON.

Witnesses:

E. M. BRANDT, M. M. OOonnon. 

